The life of the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson

Front matter

I

THE LIFE

OF THE

Dedication

TO MRS. CATHARINE GARRETTSON.

Madam, — To whom can I so appropriately dedicate this account of one endeared to you by so many ties, as to yourself, who for so long a time knew and appreciated his worth, enjoyed his society, and now so sincerely mourn your loss 1 May that benignant Being, who so mercifully supported and directed your late excellent and venerable husband through a long life, and finally gave him such a complete victory over death, spread around you the wing of his mercy, and safely conduct you to <s glory and immortality."

With Christian affection,

Preface

vii and substituting one word for another, without either altering the meaning or changing the style.

From the month of March, 1824, to June, 1826, he kept a very regular account of the manner in which he employed his time. That the reader might see the influence of pure religion on the heart and conduct of a man who had been for so many years devoted to the service of God, and who expected so soon to appear in the presence of his Judge, I have made copious extracts from this part of his journal ; and I humbly trust that they will tend to make that religion which shone so steadily and brightly in the life of Mr. Garrettson, appear above all other things the most desirable and necessary.

For the account of his remaining days, of his last sickness, and of his death, I am indebted partly to information received from Mrs. Garrettson and other friends who attended him in those solemn moments, and partly to my own knowledge.

These are the materials from which the following me* moir has been compiled. It has been my endeavour to furnish the reader with a faithful narration of the incidents of his life, and of the various transactions in which he was engaged, as well as to exhibit an exact portraiture of Mr. Garrettson both in his private exercises and public labours. Though the critical reader will doubtless discover many defects, it is hoped not more than may find a reasonable apology from the circumstances under which I have performed my task. Other duties have had an imperious claim on my time and attention, and necessarily prevented my bestowing that labour on the work which otherwise I might have done.

via

PREFACE.

I have only to say in conclusion, that should the reader and his faith in God confirmed, his love to Him and desire so be more entirely devoted to His service increased by reading this narration of the many instances of the displays of Divine providence and grace in behalf of a fellow being, — as I cannot but think Will be the case, — ha will add another testimony in favour of the utility of Christian biography, and the writer will feel that he has "not laboured in vain, nor spent his strength for naught," in furnishing to the surviving friends of Mr. Garrettson, and to the church generally, this imperfect account of his experience and labours, and of his triumphant entry intr< the world of spirits, N» Bang?

New-York, August!,

CONTENTS*

Lviroducwn, Pa S e 5 ^ 10

CHAPTER L

His ancestors— Childhood— Education— First Methodist preachers— His brother John— Illness— Death of his father— False security— His awakening and conversion, . . . • • • ^ 31

Chapter II

His happiness in God — Endures severe temptations — Frees his slaves- Reflections on slavery — Attends a class meeting — Declares what God had done for him— First speaks in public— Suffers persecution — Holds evening meetings, and God blesses his labours— Conversation with the parish priest —Strong exercises respecting becoming a travelling preacher— Makes the trial— Then tempted to desist— Makes trial of his gift again, . 31—47 CHAPTER III.

Commences a regular travelling preacher— Severely exercised— Much assisted — Holds a watch night— Goes to Fairfax circuit — Preaches in thf parish church — Great manifestation of the power of God — Attacked by a Presbyterian minister on the doctrine of perfection — Farewell sermon- Lodges with a Quaker — Attends conference, . . *4T — 53 CHAPTER IV.

Deer creek conference — Goes to Brunswick circuit, Virginia — Happy seasons in preaching on the way — Arrives on his circuit, and finds a lively people — An officer interrogates him on the subject of fighting — Confidence in God increased — Great consolation in preaching — Tempting offers, which he resists— Whites and blacks much affected — Refuses the state oath — Escapes a threatened imprisonment — Goes to North Carolina — Reflections on Christian perfection — Experiences perfect love, and preaches this doctrine— Narrowly escapes being shot, ..... 53 — 62

CHAPTER V.

From the conference in Leesburg, goes to the Peninsula, Md. — Persecution against the Methodists — Its causes — Perseveres in his work — Beaten and bruised — Blessed effects of this opposition in his own soul — Preaches the word with great effect — Enters the state of Delaware, and preaches the word with great success — Goes to Kent Island — Death of his brother John- Remarkable instance of conversion — Meets with opposition at Dover,' but succeeds in preaching — Rescues a man who was attempting to hang himself—Conversion of an old persecutor — Not an enthusiast — Sinners flock to Christ — Delivered from the hand of the civil officer — Preaches .and forms a society in Quantico — Vindicates infant baptism — Opposition meetings unsuccessful — Good effects of the gospel — Providential interview with a strange woman — Work of God greatly prospers — Remarks on silent meetings- Great inward conflicts—Remarkable answer to prayer — The arm of the Lord made bare in the conversion of souls — The wicked persecute — Escapes unhurt— Silences an ignorant disputant— And escapes imprisonment, 62—100

Contents

CHAPTER VI.

Leaves the Peninsula, and at the request of Mr. Asbury goes to Philadelphia— Society there in a depressed state — British army had just left the city —Citizens returned to their employments—Success in New- Jersey — Conversion of an old man — Remarkable account of a young woman, 100 — 101

CHAPTER VII.

Introduction

who wished to asemble with them. To remedy this inconvenience, they began to think seriously about building a chapel. To this undertaking, however, there were many difficulties. The members of the society were mostly poor, few in number, and but little known among the wealthy and influential portion of the citizens. Being encouraged, however, by the exhortations of Mrs. Hick, a woman of deep piety and great intrepidity of mind, they made an effort to erect a house for the Lord. Meeting with more favour than they had anticipated, they finally succeeded in purchasing some lots in John-street, on which they built a house, 60 feet by 42, in the year 1768, calling it, in honour of the founder of Methodism, Wesley Chapel. While this house was in progress, T. T., in behalf of the society, addressed the following letter to Mr. Wesley :

"New- York, 11th April, 1768.

" Rev. and very dear sir, — I intended writing to you for several weeks past ; but a few of us had a very material transaction in view. I therefore postponed writing, until I could give you a particular account thereof : this was the purchasing of ground for building a preaching house upon, which, by the blessing of God, we have now concluded. But before I proceed, I shall give you a short account of the state of religion in this city. By the best intelligence I can collect, there was little either of the form or power of it, until Mr. Whitefield came over thirty years ago ; and even after his first and second visits, there appeared but little fruit of his labours. But during his visit fourteen or fifteen years ago, there was a considerable shaking among the dry bones. Divers were savingly converted ; and this work was much increased in his last journey about fourteen years since, - when his words were really like a hammer and like- a fire. Most part of the adults were stirred up : great numbers pricked to the heart, and by a judgment of charity, several found peace and joy in believing. The consequence of this work was, churches were crowded, k»d subscriptions raised for building new ones. Mr

Whitefield's example provoked most of the ministers to a much greater degree of earnestness. And by the multitudes of people, old and young, rich and poor, flocking to the churches, religion became an honourable profession. There was now no outward cross to be taken np therein. Nay, a person who could not speak about, the grace oi God, and the new birth, was esteemed unfit for genteel company. But in awhile, instead of pressing forward, and growing in grace, (as he exhorted them,) the generality were pleading for the remains of sin, and the necessity of being in darkness. They esteemed their opinions as the very essentials of Christianity, and regarded not holiness either of heart or life.

" The above appears to me to be a genuine account of the state of religion in New- York eighteen months ago, when it pleased God to rouse up Mr. Embury to employ his talent (which for several years had been hid as it were in a napkin) by calling sinners to repentance, and exhorting believers to let their light shine before men. He spoke at first only in his own house, A few were soon collected together and joined into a little society, chiefly his own countrymen, Irish Germans. In about three months after, brother White and brother Souse from Dublin, joined them, They then rented an empty room in their neighbourhood, which was in the most infamous street in the city, adjoining the barracks. For some time few thought it worth their while to hear s but God so ordered it by his providence, that about fourteen months ago captain Webb, barrack master at Albany, (who was converted three years since at Bristol,) found them out, and preached in hi;- regimentals. The novelty of a man preaching in a scarlet coat, soon brought greater numbers to hear than the room could contain. But his doctrines were quite new to the hearers; for he told them point blank, 'that all their knowledge and religion were not worth a rush, unless their sins were forgiven, and they had " the witness of God's Spirit with theirs, that they were the children cf God/

INTRODUCTION.

This strange doctrine, with some peculiarities in his person, made him soon taken notice of ; and obliged the little society to look out for a larger house to preach in. They soon found a place that had been built for a rigging house, 60 feet in length and 18 in breadth.

" About this period Mr. Webb, whose wife's relations lived at Jamaica, Long Island, took a house in that neighbourhood, and began to preach in his own house, and several other places on Long Island. Within six months, about twenty-four persons received justifying grace, nearly half of them whites, — the rest negroes. While Mr. Webb was (to borrow his own phcase) ' felling trees on Long Island,' brother Embury was exhorting all who attended on Thursday evenings, and Sundays, morning and evening, at the rigging house to flee from the wrath to come. His hearers began to increase, and some gave heed to hi? report, about the time the gracious providence of God brought me safe to New- York, after a very favourable passage of six weeks from Plymouth. It was the 26 th day of October last, when I arrived, recommended to a person for lodging ; I inquired of my host (who was a very religious man) if any Methodists were in New- York ; he answered, that there was one Captain Webb, a strange sort of man, who lived on Long Island, and who sometimes preached at one Embury's, at the rigging house. In a few days I found out Embury. I soon found of what spirit he was, and that he was personally acquainted with you and your doctrines, and that he had been a helper in Ireland. He had formed two classes, one of the men and the other of the women, but had never met the society apart from the congregation, although there were six or seven men, and as many women, who had a clear sense of their acceptance in the Beloved.

" You will not wonder at my being agreeably surprised in meeting with a few here, who have been and desire again to be in connexion with you. God only knows the weisrhi of affliction I felt on leaving my native country, But I have reason now to conclude God intended all for my good. Ever since I left London, my load has been removed, and 1 have found a cheerfulness in being banished from all near and dear to me, and I made a new covenant with my God, that I would go to the utmost parts of the earth , provided he would raise up a people, with whom I might join in his praise. On the great deep I found a more earnest desire to be united with the people of God than ever before. I made a resolution that God's people should be my people, and their God my God : and bless his holy name, I have since experienced more heartfelt happiness chan ever I thought it possible to have on this side eternity. 'All anxious care about my dear wife and children is taken away. I cannot assist them, but I daily and hourly commend them to God in prayer, and I know he hears my prayers, by an answer of love in my heart* I find power daily to devote myself unto him ; and I find power also to overcome sin. If any uneasiness at all affects me, it is because I can speak so little of so good a God.

" Mr. Embury lately has been more zealous than formerly : the consequence of which is, that he is more lively in preaching ; and his gifts as well as graces are much in creased. Great numbers of serious persons came to hear God's word as for their lives ; and their numbers increased so fast, that our house for six weeks past would not contain half the people.

Ct We had some consultations how to remedy this inconvenience, and Mr. Embury proposed renting a small lot of ground for twenty-one years, and to exert our utmost endeavours to build a wooden tabernacle ; a piece of ground was proposed ; the ground rent was agreed for, and the lease was" to be executed in a few days. We, however, in the mean time, had two several days for fasting and prayer, for the direction of God and his blessing on our proceedings ; and providence opened such a door as we

INTRODUCTION.

had no expectation of. A young man, a sincere Christian, and constant hearer, though not joined in society, not giving any thing toward this house, offered ten pounds to buy a lot of ground, went of his own accord to a lady who had two lots to sell, on one of which there is a house that rents for eighteen pounds per annum. He found the purchase money of the two lots was six hundred pounds which she was willing should remain in the purchasers" possession, on good security. We called once more on God for his direction, and resolved to purchase the whole, There are eight of us who are joint purchasers : among whom Mr. Webb and Mr. Lupton are men of property. I was determined the house should be on the same footing as the orphan house at New-Castle, and others in England : but as we were ignorant how to draw the deeds, we purchased for us and our heirs, until a copy of the writing is sent us from England, which we desire may be sent by the first opportunity.

" Before we began to talk of building, the devil and his children were very peaceable : but since this affair took place many ministers have cursed us in the name of the Lord, and laboured with all their might to stop their congregations from assisting us. But He that sitteth in the highest laughed them to scorn. Many have broken through and given their friendly assistance. We have collected above one hundred pounds more than our own contributions ; and have reason to hope in the whole we shall have two hundred pounds : but the house will cost us four hundred pounds more, so that unless God is pleased to raise up friends we shall yet be at a loss. I believe Mr. Webb and Mr. Lupton will borrow or advance two hundred pounds^ rather than the building should not go forward ; but the interest of money here is a great burden— being seven per ,cent. Some of our brethren proposed writing to you foi a collection in England : but I was averse to this, as I well know our friends there are overburdened already. Yet so far I would earnestly beg : if you would intimate our circumstances to particular persons of ability, perhaps God would open their hearts to assist this infant society, and contribute to the first preaching house on the original Methodist plan in all America, (excepting Mr. Whitefield's orphan house in Georgia ;) but I shall write no more on this subject. /

" There is another point far more material, and in which I must importune your assistance, not only in my own name, but also in the name of the whole society. We want an able and experienced preacher ; one who has both gifts and grace necessary for the work. God has not. indeed despised the day of small things. There is a real work of grace begun in many hearts, by the preaching ot Mr. Webb and Mr. Embury ; but although they are both useful, and their hearts in the work, they want many qualifications for such an undertaking; and the progress of the gospel here depends much upon the qualifications of preachers.

u In regard to a preacher, if possible we must have a man of wisdom, of sound faith, and a good diciplinarian one whose heart and soul are in the work ; and I doubt not but by the goodness of God such a flame will be soon kindled as would never stop until it reached the great South seaS-We may make many shifts to evade temporal inconveniences ; but we cannot purchase such a preacher as I have described. Dear sir, I entreat you for the good of thousands, to use your utmost endeavours to send one over. I would advise him to take shipping at Boston, Liverpool, or Dublin, in the month of July or early in August ; by embarking at this season he will have fint weather in his passage, and probably arrive here in the month of September. He will see before winter what progress the gospel has made.

" With respect to money for the payment of the preacher's passage over, if they could not procure it, we would &ell our coats and shirts to procure it for them.

INTRODUCTION.

i: I most earnestly beg an interest in your prayers, and (rust you and many of our brethren, will not forget tlu church in this wilderness.

" I remain with sincere esteem, Rev. and dear sir,

"Your very affectionate brother and servant.

In answer to the earnest request contained in this letter. Mr. Wesley sent over Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor, and ^50 sterling, as a " token of brotherly love." They were cordially received by the people here, and soon much en* couraged in their work, as the following letter from Mr Pilmoor will fully show :

"Philadelphia, Oct. 31,1769.

"Rev. sir, — By the blessing of God we are safely arrived here, after a tedious passage of nine weeks. We were not a little surprised to find Capt. Webb in town, and a society of about one hundred members, who desire to be in close connexion with you. ' This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.'

" I have preached several times, and the people flock to hear in multitudes. Sunday evening I went out upon the common. I had the stage appointed for the horse race for my pulpit, and I think between four and five thousand hearers, who heard with attention still as night. Blessed be God for field preaching. When I began to talk of preaching at five o'clock in the morning, the people thought it would not answer in America : however, I resolved to try, and I had a very good congregation.

" Here seems to be a great and effectual door opening in this country, and I hope many souls will be gathered in. The people in general like to hear the word, and seem to have ideas of salvation by grace."

After continuing a short time in Philadelphia, Mr, Pilmoor made an excursion to Maryland, where he found ,Mr. Strawbridge, and preached with some success. He

INTRODUCTION.

likew ise visited some parts of Virginia and North Carolina s and witnessing the happy effects of his labours in the awakening of sinners, he formed some societies. In all places which he visited, he found people eager to hear the word, and kind to those who came to preach it. From hence he returned to Philadelphia, and soon came to New- York, while Mr. Boardman went to Philadelphia; thu^ commencing, in the early stage of their labours, a regular change from place to place. The society in New-York, under the labours of Mr. Embury and Capt. Webb, was in a flourishing state on the arrival of Mr. Boardman, whose godly simplicity and evangelical preaching were made a peculiar blessing to many. In this prosperous state of the society, Mr. Pilmoor entered upon his charge over them. As he thought it most prudent to make a fair trial before he transmitted his account of the state of thing? to Mr. Wesley, he deferred writing until April 24, 1770, on which day he wrote the following letter : —

" Our house contains about seventeen hundred hearers. About a third part of those who attend get in ; the rest are glad to hear without. There appears such a willingness in the Americans to hear the word, as I never saw before, They have no preaching in some of the back settlements. I doubt not but an effectual door will be opened among them ! O ! may the Most High now give his Son the heathen for his inheritance. The number of the blacks that attend the preaching affects me much."

From these representations of the state and disposition of the people in America, Mr. Wesley was induced to concert measures to send them over more labourers. Accordingly the next year, 1771, Mr. Francis Asbury and Mr. Richard Wright, who volunteered their services, were dismissed under the blessing of God for the help of their brethren in America. They set sail from Bristol, Sept. 2 1771, and landed in Philadelphia the 24th of Oct. following They were received with great cordiality, "the peoph hardly knowing," says Mr. Asbury, " how to show their love sufficiently, bidding us welcome with fervent affection, and receiving us as the angels of God."

According to a notice in Mr. Asbury's Journal, vol. iii 2 p. 109, it appears that when he arrived in this country, he found three hundred Methodists in New-York, two hundred and fifty in Philadelphia, and a few in New-Jersey., probably in all about six hundred. Those in Maryland do not appear to be included in this number. On the arrival of Mr. Asbury, he very properly judged that they could not expect a general spread of the work of God, unless they extended themselves into the country towns and villages. He accordingly led the way, by which the prospects of usefulness opened before them in every direction.

By the faithful exertions of Mr. Asbury and those who were associated with him, the work of God extended among the people, and it was soon perceived that more help was much needed to supply the calls of the people. Indeed the people in many places, particularly in the middle and southern provinces — for so these United States were then called, being a part of the British dominions — ■ were but poorly supplied with the word and ordinances of Christ, and pure religion was generally at a very low ebb. A taste for experimental religion had, it is true, been created in some hearts, by the powerful preaching of the celebrated Whitefield, who, some time previously to the arrival of the Methodist missionaries, had travelled through the country, and preached with his usual zeal and success> The fields, however, at this time, " were ripe for the harvest ;" and a faithful account of the state of affairs here being transmitted to Mr. Wesley, in 1773 Messrs. Thomas Rankin and George Shadford volunteered their services and came over to the continent : and the following year Messrs. James Dempster and Martin Rodda were added to the number.

To Mr. Rankin Mr. Wesley committed the general snperintendency of the work, and he called the first regitlar conference in the city of Philadelphia, in the month >f June, 1773.* At this conference there were returned on the minutes 10 travelling preachers, and 1160 members of society. From the printed minutes of the conference for 1774, it appears there were 14 preachers who commenced their itinerant labours in America, viz. William Watters, Abraham White worth, Joseph Yearbry, Philip Gatch, Philip Ebert, William Duke, John Wade, Daniel Ruff, Edward Drumgole, Isaac Rollins, Robert Lindsay, Samuel Spragg, Richard Webster, John King ; and three English preachers, viz. Thomas Rankin, Francis Asbury, and George Shadford. The numbers in society this year were 2073. Mr. Boardman, who was a man deeply devoted to God, and a sound able minister of Jesus Christ, and Mr. Pilmoor, it appears had both returned to England.

From the above list of preachers it will be perceived thai the Lord of the harvest had raised up labourers in this country to cultivate his field.

This sketch brings us down to the year 1775, at which time, according to the printed minutes, there were 19 preachers stationed, and 3148 members in society. It was during this year that Mr. Freeborn Garrettson, who is to be the subject of the following memoir, was brought to the saving knowledge of the truth, and commenced his ministerial labours. I shall therefore close this introduction by remarking that the above short account of the commencement of Methodism in this country, compared with what it now is, shows by what feeble and comparatively inefficient means, God often accomplishes His work in the souls of men ; and that all this is done according to an inspired declaration, that " no man should glory in man, but he that glorieth must glory in the Lord."

* This date corresponds with that in the printed minutes; but according to Mr. Asbury's Journal, this conference was held July U, 1773, and Mr. Drew, in his Life of Dr. Coke, in an extract from

Mr, Rankin, agrees with Mr Asbury. t

THE LIFE

OF THE

REV FREEBORN GARRETTSON,

CHAPTER I.

His ancestors— Childhood— Education— First Methodist preac i ers— His brother John— Illness— Death of his father— False sec rity — His awakening and conversion.

* Mr. Garrettson was born in the state of Maryland , August 15, in the year 1752. His parents were mem bers of the Church of England, and educated their children in the same faith. His grandfather was an emigrant from Great Britain, and was among the first settlers in the province of Maryland, on the west side of the Chesapeake bay, near the mouth of the Susquehannah river. Being surrounded with the aborigines of the country, his situa lion was so perilous that he found himself compelled to go armed by day and night. The place where he first settled is still designated by his name, and is the residence of a branch of the family.

Mr. Garrettson's father was a man of moral character, and esteemed by his neighbours as a good Christian. His mother truly feared the Lord, having been enlightened under the ministrations of some of the followers of the Rev. George Whitefield, who itinerated so largely and preached so successfully through the country. Though she did not connect herself with these people, she had frequent intercourse with them, and I have," says Mr, Garrettson, " frequently heard her speak of their piety with tears." He adds, " Those blessed men of God, the Tennants, in their itinerating tours, often preached through those parts, and their labours were blessed to many."

The following is the account which Mr. Garrettsoi. givm of his early childhood : i( I was," as my parents informed me, "from my infancy prone to pride, self will, and stubborness. As far as I know of any one predominant principle of my nature, it was a love of freedom and independence. I could easily be led, but it seemed morally impossible to drive me. When I was at school, if ever I got into a difficulty with any of my school mates, it was in consequence of my taking part with some poor children, who I thought were not treated kindly. With such it was a pleasure with me to divide my morsel." " It w 7 ould be well," he adds, " for parents to be acquainted with the native genius of their children, and to educate them accordingly. Had this been the case with me, perhaps I might have engaged in the work for which I was designed, under more favourable auspices, as it respects education." These reflections are certainly founded in the nature of things, and should be heeded, as far as practicable, by every parent. The following account shows the benign influence which parental example and admonitions have on young and render minds.